Heating safety 101 Those using alternative sources for warmth urged to take precautions

December 06, 2005|ADAM JACKSON Tribune Staff Writer

On Dec. 18, 2004, William F. Slay and three other members of his family died of asphyxiation during a fire in their Fulton County mobile home. The tragedy wasn't caused by kids playing with matches. Nor did it occur because of faulty wiring or the use of candles. The Slays died because they were trying to fend off a cold northern Indiana winter using a kerosene space heater. With Michiana temperatures expected to fall into frigid single digits this week, the fire serves as a sobering reminder that efforts to beat the chill carry a variety of in-home hazards, from carbon monoxide poisoning to chimney fires. "This is the time of year when people tend to start using things like wood stoves and space heaters," Plymouth Fire Chief George Cook said. "And in a lot of cases, they haven't performed the maintenance they should have." For example, gas furnaces should be checked out professionally at least once yearly, he said, and the filters should be changed on a regular basis. Failure to take those basic measures can result in problems from malfunctioning blower motors to blocked exhaust vents. And while a cozy fire in the hearth or a wood stove radiating warmth can give a room a much needed dose of winter comfort, burning wood requires an extra measure of good judgment. Cook said homeowners who burn wood in a stove or fireplace on a regular basis need to enlist the services of a chimney sweep as often as once a month to avoid the buildup of creosote, a tarlike substance created as a byproduct of combustion. The problem, he said, is the creosote can build up on the walls of the chimney, just waiting for the flue to heat up enough to ignite it. "A lot of times, people will throw an armload of wrapping paper in there, which sends a lot of sparks up the chimney," Cook said. "That can be all it takes to start a chimney fire." Even if a fire in a fireplace or wood stove burns without incident, the homeowner still must take care when disposing of ashes and leftover debris. That means using a metal container with a tight-fitting lid to remove the material, then not putting it somewhere where it could cause problems. "One thing to remember is don't put the ashes in the trash, then put the trash out for pickup," Cook said. "That's when you end up with a fire in the back of the garbage truck." Furnaces and fireplaces aside, one of the most popular ways to augment home heating systems is with the use of space heaters, both kerosene and electric. And while they can be safe sources of heat, both can cause big problems if used improperly. Kerosene heaters can pose problems especially if used in unventilated places. Like any appliance that uses an open flame, the heaters can produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause unconsciousness and death. "We suggest that everyone get a carbon monoxide detector to keep in their home," Cook said. "And if you think you have a problem, call the fire department. We don't mind coming out to check." It's clear that heating a home in the winter carries risks. But to keep warm in the face of a brutal chill like the one in Michiana this week, many are willing to take those risks. Especially with soaring fuel costs, which are driving people like Luis Rosales of Plymouth to look for ways to keep warm without breaking the bank. To that end, he was checking out electric space heaters Monday afternoon at Plymouth's Wal-Mart. He said he wasn't too worried about fires. "I think I can use it in the room I'm in, so I can turn down the heat a little," Rosales said. "If I keep it away from the wall and keep an eye on it, it should be OK."Staff writer Adam Jackson: ajackson@sbtinfo.com (574) 936-1029